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Quick Hits: Hairston, Angels, Pirates, Phillies

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On this date in 2009, the Indians sent Carl Pavano to the Twins for a player to be named later (Yohan Pino). Pavano won five games down the stretch for Minnesota and has worn a Twins uniform ever since. Pino, meanwhile, now pitches for the Blue Jays' Double-A affiliate in New Hampshire, having been dealt for cash considerations earlier this year. As we wait to find out whether we'll see any major August trades this year, let's check out today's links….

  • The Mets came very close to trading Scott Hairston to the Braves in July, but ultimately nixed the deal, according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
  • A club official tells Peter Gammons (Twitter link) that the Red Sox and Yankees are blocking waiver claims on relievers and starters, respectively.
  • Newsday's Ken Davidoff identifies a few August trade candidates and a few contenders with outstanding needs.
  • The Angels are one team named by Davidoff as an August buyer, and GM Tony Reagins agrees. As he says to Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times, "We think there will be some opportunities later on that may materialize."
  • GM Neal Huntington tells Michael Sanserino of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the Pirates hope to become a "consistent championship caliber organization," rather than merely finishing above .500. Unfortunately for the Pirates and their fans, the team's current nine-game losing streak has put them on pace for a 19th straight losing season.
  • Despite frequently moving prospects for impact players, the Phillies haven't depleted their farm system, writes Marc Narducci of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Red Sox Release Kevin Millwood

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Kevin Millwood cleared out his Pawtucket locker and left the Red Sox organization after Saturday's game, reports Maureen Mullen of CSNNE.com. Pawtucket's official Twitter feed confirms that the right-hander was granted his release by the Sox.

Millwood signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox in May. He elected to remain in the organization at the time of his June opt-out date, with an understanding that the opportunity to join another team could be revisited later in the season. A month and a half later, the 36-year-old still hadn't seen any time with the big league club. In 13 Triple-A starts, Millwood recorded a 4.28 ERA, 8.1 K/9, and 3.1 BB/9.

For more Sunday Red Sox notes, click here.

Red Sox Notes: Papelbon, Harden, Ellsbury

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Heading into 2011, with Jonathan Papelbon coming off his worst season and in a contract year, it seemed to be just a matter of time until Daniel Bard took over as the Red Sox closer. As the offseason approaches though, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that it will be very difficult for the Sox to lose Papelbon. While they could replace him with Bard, they'd then have to find a reliever capable of filling Bard's eighth inning role. One National League executive said he thinks the Sox should bring Papelbon back: "If the resources were there to have both of those guys at the end of the game, and I believe they are, then there’s no way you break that up." Here are the rest of today's Red Sox updates:

  • Within Cafardo's piece, an NL GM wondered what sort of deal Papelbon could land on the open market this winter: "Is the market that teams are willing to spend on a closer more in the $8MM to $10MM range now? It depends, I guess, on how desperate you are. It takes one team."
  • Cafardo says the Red Sox could still consider Rich Harden as an August trade target, if he makes it to them on waivers. Boston nearly worked out a trade for the right-hander in July, but it fell through due to medical concerns. It's worth remembering, however, that the Sox didn't nix the deal entirely – they still tried to acquire Harden at a reduced cost.
  • Boston put "just about everyone" through waivers this week, according to Cafardo.
  • David Ortiz told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that the Red Sox should make it a priority to lock up Jacoby Ellsbury to a long-term deal. Rosenthal rightly pointed out that Ellsbury's agent, Scott Boras, typically likes to see his clients hit free agency, making an extension less likely.

New York Notes: Jimenez, Nova, Collins, Wade

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The Yankees enter today's action tied for the American League's best record, while the Mets sit at just .500. But it was the team from Queens that enjoyed the better Saturday, slugging four home runs en route to an 11-7 win against the Braves, while C.C. Sabathia and the Yankees were beat up by the Red Sox. As the Mets and Yanks prepare for the rubber matches of their respective series, let's round up the latest links on the two clubs:

  • Speaking to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Gordon Blakeley, a special assistant to GM Brian Cashman, defended the Yankees' inactivity at the trade deadline: "We were ready to do something if there was someone who could make a big impact. If the kid in Seattle (Felix Hernandez) is available, that is different. But we didn’t see huge impact, and now we think we may get huge impact from kids we didn’t trade in August and September."
  • Within the same piece, Blakeley goes on to discuss the Yankees' July pursuit of Ubaldo Jimenez, saying that the organization feels Ivan Nova "is as good as this version of Jimenez."
  • The starting rotation won't be a priority for the Mets this offseason, as GM Sandy Alderson will focus instead on re-signing Jose Reyes and bolstering the bullpen, writes Newsday's David Lennon.
  • While Alderson praised the performance of Terry Collins, the GM said the club wouldn't even think about extending the skipper's contract until after the season, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. Collins is currently signed through 2012.
  • Cory Wade, who has recorded a 1.86 ERA in 17 relief appearances for the Yankees this year, told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that the Rangers were also interested in signing him after he was released by the Rays, but the Yankees "made a stronger push."

Quick Hits: Nimmo, Indians, Rays, Starling, Pomeranz

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Links for Saturday evening..

  • Without directly saying so, Mets GM Sandy Alderson intimated that it's no big deal that first-round pick Brandon Nimmo remains unsigned, writes Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
  • After dealing right-hander Alex White and left-hander Drew Pomeranz, Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer looks at the arms that remain in the Indians' farm system.
  • Suddenly, the Rays find themselves with a surplus of catchers, writes MLB.com's Bill Chastain.
  • Royals first-round pick Bubba Starling is not on Nebraska football's official 105-man roster and won't practice at NU until he decides on his baseball future, tweets Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star.
  • Indians prospect Drew Pomeranz officially transferred from Double-A Akron to the Arizona League Indians today, tweets MLB.com's Jordan Bastian.  Pomeranz will work out in Arizona until he can officially be dealt to the Rockies on August 15th.
  • The newest member of the Marlins Alfredo Amezaga has always been known as utility man but reports are that he's gained a bit of weight and is better suited for either second or third base rather than shortstop, writes Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.

Ortiz Upset With Lack Of Contract Talk

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Since the start of the season, David Ortiz has become increasingly concerned with the Red Sox because of his contract situation, a source close to the player told Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com.

"David is (too) proud and respectful to say how he feels in public, but the guy feels hurt, upset by the way that he is being ignored by the Red Sox…After all he's done here and having a good season, he was at least hoping to be approached by the team to talk about his future," the source said.

Less than two months ago, Ortiz told Rojas that the club had yet to come to him to discuss a new contract and the veteran said that he wasn't expecting that to change.  More recently, Big Papi told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that he wasn't worried about his next deal.

So far this season, Ortiz has a slash line of .289/.378/.537 with 21 homers.   The 35-year-old is earning $12.5MM in the final year of his deal.

Rosenthal On Jimenez, Red Sox, Rockies, Beltran

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In the latest edition of Full Count from Ken Rosenthal, we learn how this year's trade deadline could have turned out drastically different..

Scott Mathieson Designated For Assignment

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The Phillies have designated Scott Mathieson for assignment, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com (via Twitter).  The right-hander wasn' t out of options, tweets Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.  The move leaves 39 players on the club's 40-man roster.

Mathieson, 27, saw action in just four big league games this season.  In 18 Triple-A relief appearances and six starts this year, Mathieson turned in a 2.92 ERA with 10.5 K/9 and 4.8 BB/9.

 

Marlins Designate Joe Thurston For Assignment

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The Marlins have designated Joe Thurston for assignment, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post (via Twitter).  The move was made in order to make room on the roster for the newly acquired Alfredo Amezaga.

Thurston was just recently promoted to the Marlins' big league roster and started at second base against the Cardinals last night.  The 31-year-old was impressive at the Triple-A level this year, hitting .315/.401/.477 with nine homers in 104 games.

Marlins Acquire Alfredo Amezaga From Rockies

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The Marlins have acquired Alfredo Amezaga from the Rockies for minor league infielder Jesus Merchan, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post (via Twitter).  Joe Thurston was designated for assignment in order to make room for Amezaga on the active roster.

In nine big league seasons, Amezaga has a slash line of .251/.311/.339.  The 33-year-old didn't impress at the plate in 20 big league games for the Rockies this season but managed a .305/.385/.444 slash line in 67 games for their Triple-A affiliate.  Amezaga played four seasons for the Fish from 2006 through 2009.

Merchan, 30, hit .268/.313/.328 in 196 plate appearances for Triple-A New Orleans this season.

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